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Just nine days to go until Father Christmas drops down my chimney and deposits my Christmas goodies. I’ve been good this year and I’ve had the chimney swept, so Santa should be good to me.

Problem is, I don’t need anything. I have everything I need when it comes to emotional, physical and materialistic requirements. So with that in mind, here are some Christmas wishes I feel could help the game should Old Saint Nick have the power.

1. Etiquette lessons – for Steve Williams

Talk about not knowing what side your bread is buttered on? What was Stevie thinking when he said Phil Mickelson reminded him of a part of the male anatomy? Considering the money he is making from one Tiger Woods, you’d have thought Stevie would know better to keep his mouth shut and not risk getting thrown off the gravy train.

2. Redemption – for John Daly

I fear the worst for JD. He reminds me of other athletes who had an innate gift but didn’t seem to appreciate it, and let it slip away. I can’t believe the guy I followed on the fairways of Crooked Stick in 1991 is the same guy today. Back then he was fresh, innocent and exciting. Now, he’s just old, stale and predictable. Yes, he’s required viewing like most car wrecks, but if he doesn’t straighten himself out there could be tragic consequences.

3. A speedy recovery – for Seve Ballesteros

It doesn’t bear thinking about Seve in his current state after four brain operations. Signs recently are that he is on the mend. Let’s hope it’s true and that he can live a full life.

4. A long and happy retirement – for Annika Sorenstam

She deserves it after what she has done for women’s golf. Let’s hope it’s permanent. I pray she doesn’t go the way of so many other sports people who miss the buzz of competition, come out of retirement and then can’t quite recreate the form they had in their halcyon days.

5. An easy life – for Corey Pavin

I don’t agree with the appointment of Pavin as 2010 U.S. Ryder Cup captain. I would have made Paul Azinger captain for a second time after the excellent job he did at Valhalla. However, the decision has been made and Pavin deserves the same respect other captains have been given.

6. Ryder Cup recognition – for Sandy Lyle

The European Tour’s 15-man tournament committee will decide next year on the Ryder Cup captain for the match in Wales in 2010. Sandy deserves the job in recognition of his playing record and the contribution he made to the matches in the late 1970s and ’80s. The other four members of the big five – Ballesteros, Nick Faldo, Bernhard Langer and Ian Woosnam – have done the job. Lyle deserves a chance too. Put it this way, he has to be better than Faldo!

7. Acceptance – for women and juniors

I’ve covered this topic before, but I still can’t believe women and children aren’t accepted at some of the top clubs around the world. The Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews, Muirfield and Royal Troon, arguably the three most powerful clubs in the UK, still refuse to let women join and have no junior sections. You’d think we were still living in the 19th century and not about to enter 2009.

8. Stopwatches – for tournament administrators

Santa should deliver stopwatches, Swiss made, to every tournament administrator in golf with clear instructions on how to use them. He should fit them with horns that go off loudly when someone breaches their time limit over a shot. Maybe then we really will stamp out slow play.

9. An appreciation – of good golf writing and reporting

If I had a magic wand I’d wave it over every newspaper owner, publisher and editor to force them to stop shedding journalists. So many good golf writers have left newspapers in the U.S. that soon media centers at PGA Tour events will take the shape of pup tents. It’s started over here too, with The Daily Telegraph releasing longtime correspondent Lewine Mair. What a travesty. Soon there will be no reporters at tournaments, just agency writers and tour communications staff. The former can’t cover everything, while the latter only write good news stories. With this situation, tournament coverage will become bland and boring.

10. More fairways and greens – for you

Here’s hoping Santa brings you tee shots that find the short grass more often, and an iron game that improves your greens in regulation.

Thanks to the large number of you who have taken the time to e-mail me this year. Your missives are most appreciated.

Merry Christmas!


Posted: 12/16/2008

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